ACTINOMETRIC INSTRUMENTS FOR AUTOMATED SYSTEMS

Skuratovich I.M., Lutsko L.V., Klivantsova V.A., Kazeyeu Y.I.

(Belarus)

In the CIS and in some other countries there are under exploitation actinometric
instruments, which were manufactured earlier, in the former USSR at the Gidrometpribor
factory (Tbilisi).
The instrument types are as follows: the M-80 pyranometer, M-10 radiation balance
gauge and M-3 actinometer.
At present these instruments production has been ceased and consequently the
market is suffering from their shortage.
Replacement of the available equipment by the instruments from other
manufacturers evoke some undesirable consequences, the main of them being violation of
observation files and the necessity to reorganize the meteorological base on the network.
The Belarus and Russia united State, taking into account the situation, by its
Program within the field of hydro meteorology and environmental monitoring foresees
resumption of actinometric instruments production, similar to the enumerated ones by their
characteristics, capable to operate in automated systems.
The main geophysical laboratory after A.I. Voyeikov (Russia) having
large
experience in the field of actinometric instrument-making and the JSC PELENG company
were charged to solve this task.
The first development under this cooperation appeared to be the Peleng -06
pyranometer (hereinafter - pyranometer ), with its finish in 2003. This instrument is
designed to measure total, scattered and reflected radiation at meteorological stations
instead of the M-80 pyranometer manufactured earlier.
The pyranometer is granted with the Gosstandard Certificates of Russia and
Belarus and also with a Roshydromet lisence for the right to perform works within the
sphere of hydrometeorology and overlapping sciences.
The instrument production started from 2004.

Figure 1. Pyranometer with unit and information board. External View.

Explanatory notes:
-

thermal battery, BW, staggered, similar to that of M-80,

the body is slightly thickened and air-tight,
the level, aimed to control the pyranometer horisontal position may be directed
downwards during non-stop measuring of reflected radiation.

Due to the used BW thermal battery, like the M-80 pyranometer, the pyranometer
provides for storage of observation files, accumulated by the
M-80 pyranometer
measurements. This is confirmed by the results of comparing both the pyranometers under
the natural conditions.
Meteorological equipment of the pyranometer (as well as the one of the M-80
pyranometer) is based on adjustment with the standard actinometer, and is executed as per
the same schedule and with the help of the same control means (as well as for the M-80
pyranometer). The dicrepancy lies within the standard pyranometer type: the instrument
is taken as the standard one and is certified like the M-80 pyranometer, that is in the result
of test trial under natural conditions according to the standard actinometer.
Preparing and certifying standard pyranometers are executed by the Main geophysical
observatory. Due to yearly certifying of pyranometers belonging to any type this discrepance
in practice will not cause extra difficulties.
Note: In case the working pyranometers are calibrated relative to the sun, then the
necessity in a standard pyranometer no longer arises.
The pyranometer head preserves external attachment dimensions of the M-80
pyranometer, due to which it may be installed on every device, used with the M-80
pyranometer.

This means no necessity to install new extra equipment for commissioning the
pyranometer in the countries, where the pyranometer M-80 is used on the network.
Input parameters of the pyranometer head are similar to those of the M-80M
instrument, that is why in principle it may be switched to the same electric measuring
instrument: to the galvanometer, to the self-recording potentiometer, the X-607
electrolytic intergrator.
However, during exploitation of pyranometer these instruments are not
necessary, because the pyranometer complete set comprises specially developed
electronic measuring unit with a LED indicator information board and with their help are
taken all the necessary parameters.
The unit is installed at the meteorological site, for example in a box for
galvanometers. The unit has a light indicator, showing current instantaneous values and is
used instead of the galvanometer during urgent observations.
The pyranometer and the unit are designed for operation under natural conditions (by
temperature from minus 50 to plus 50C and the upper value of the air relative humidity
equal to 98% at 25C). Power supply 36 VAC. The limit of extra error by measuring the
voltages (0,08% Umeas + 20 V). The electronic unit is equipped with an RS 485 output
interface and an V23 modem.
The information board is installed in premises, for example on the operators table.
From the information board are taken the parameters, necessary as per programs of
non-stop registration and integration: the values, averaged per each hour of the current and
terminated day, average daily per each day of the current month, average monthly for the
terminated month.
The information board power supply is delivered from the mains of 220V. The
information board also shows current instantaneous values.
The board is equipped with an interface RS 232. Instead of the board there may be
used PC capabilities with corresponding software.
On the customers request the unit with the board may be delivered in single channel
and three-channels versions, that is with three heads being connected simultaneously.
Note: The sensor output voltage is not converted into radiation values by means of
the unit with the board, because the instrument has been developed for the existing on the
network technology of collection and compiling monthly files with consequent processing as
per the program, adopted on the network.
The executed investigations of the main pyranometer errors, indicated that they
are practically the same, as those of the M-80 pyranometer.

Main technical characteristics of pyranometer

Measuring range for the radiation density, kW/ m2

from 0,01 to 1,6

Wavelength range, m

from 0,3 to 2,4

Head conversion ratio at standard radiation drop per receiver,

mV m2/kW, not over

Time interval for setting-up the head output signal, s, not over

50

Values of correction factors at the sun altitude h=20 by azimuth

90,180,270 differ from the value in azimuth direction of 0, %, not
over

10

Limit of tolerable relative error during radiation density

measurement, %

11

Relative displacement of the head reference point under the

influence of thermal radiation of semi sphere black surface, heated
to (755) C from the value of {( tB + 273)4 - ( t + 273)4}, %, not
over

Limit of extra error during taking measurements of radiation density,

evoked by the air temperature deviation from a standard value per
each 10C, %

In the countries, where the M-80 pyranometer is under exploitation (today the
production has stopped), it is expedient to use the Peleng -06 pyranometer. This
enables the following advantages:
-

to memorize the observation files,

to have a metrological base on the network without changes,
to exploit the available extra equipment,
to replace the obsolete electric measuring instruments (galvanomoters, self-recording
analog potentiometers, electrolyte integrators) with the up-to-date electronic equipment
from the pyranometer complete set.

In 2004 there was developed an automated meter for the sun radiation duration
(hereinafter - the IPSS), aimed for operation instead of the Kempbell-Stocks geliograph.
The IPSS sensor unit has 16 photo sensors (sections), located in such a manner
which provides the angle of observation within a semi sphere equal to 180. Sections,
located along the diagonal by azimuth are connected in pairs directed to each other, due to
which the signal at the IPSS output turns to be proportional to radiation intensity, coming
from the sun disk, independent from azimuth direction at the sun.

Figure 2 The IPSS external view

Explanation note:
Section, illuminated by the sun, receives radiation from the sun disk and from the sky. The
opposite section receives radiation only from the sky. Thus, the difference between their
signals is proportional only to the sun disk radiation.
The IPSS shows the availability of the sun radiance, the direct sun radiation being
not less than 120 W/m2. The IPSS possesses an output interface RS485 and an V23
modem and may be used as with the indication board, so with the PC.
A special program enabling on the operators choice to call on a display the
current data about the sun, radiance, its duration within the chosen time intervals
(5,10,30 min, hour, day and etc.), as for current, so for the terminated days. The information
is memorized.
The sun radiance availability relative to time may be plotted at a display.
The body design provides the capability of fastening the IPSS to the tripod of the
M-80 pyranometer.
At present the JSC PELENG company and the Main geophysical observatory
have finished the radiation balance gauge of the Peleng -08 type, designed to replace
the balance gauge of the M-10 type. And also they have started the Peleng -12
actinometer development.
The aim of development is similar to that of the pyranometers:
-

to memorize the observation files,

to have a metrological base on the network without changes,
to employ actinometric sensors within automated systems.